Product on Review: Freezer 36 Black CPU Cooler
Manufacturer: ARCTIC
Street Price:
- US: $38.98 excl Tax
- UK: £19.24 inc. V.A.T.
- AUS: $49 inc. Tax
Introduction
CPU cooling has ever been a hot topic in the consumer PC technology space. Whether it be the soaring TDPs of high-performance processors or the merits of liquid vs air cooling, there’s always a handful of ready opinions when one will suffice. This is particularly the case in the more cost-conscious markets, where making the most bang out of your buck is very much the name of the game.
Cooling specialists ARCTIC are never far from these discussions. They’ve been a presence in all areas of the CPU cooling market for decades at this point. In years gone by their Freezer cooler range has been synonymous with exceptional value for mainstream self-built systems. The newest iteration, Arctic’s Freezer 36, aims to continue this custom by bringing great performance at a low price.
The Freezer 36 is a single-tower design similar to previous Freezer models that builds on prior efforts through improved fans, a more dense heatsink fin stack, and sharper aesthetics. Now boasting two 120mm fans in push-pull configuration, it compensates for its relatively narrow body by maintaining well-channelled continuous air-flow across the fin-stack.
Additional changes include improved socket retention mechanisms and better fan mounting that’s more in keeping with the clean lines of the cooler. Any and all improvements will be welcome in a segment that's increasingly competitive, thanks mainly to affordable designs with ever-improving performance.
The specific model we’re reviewing is the Freezer 36 Black, a variant that incorporates black anodised fins and plated heatpipes alongside two 120mm fans that eschew RGB of any kind. Fear not however, a more conventional style with bare aluminium fins, or illuminated models with RGB fans, are also available at slightly different price points.
ARCTIC on their Freezer 36:
With its push-pull configuration, the Freezer 36 not only impresses with its efficient cooling performance, but also with its design. The soldered ends of the heatpipes are concealed by the screwed aluminium cover, allowing it to blend seamlessly into any PC setup and highlight both performance and appearance.
The Freezer 36 will have its work cut out trying to keep our Intel Core i9-12900K cooled under load, which would be an impressive outcome for a HSF oriented more towards the Core i5 and Ryzen 5 end of the market. Indeed, for <£20, this might be the worthy replacement to the legendary Freezer 7 and 12 budget coolers of prior decades.
